Around the World in a Model A

[Hoogah]

With his permission, here's the heads up about Swedish Model A owner, Goran Kynning, who's taking his A on a world holiday. I became aware of him last week after "liking" MAFCA on Facebook. He and his pretty green roadster arrived in Melbourne Australia (independently) last week from South Africa. The car was shipped with a broken axle to be repaired here before he was able to continue. A Melbourne early Ford enthusiast heard of his plight and offered to help him with the repairs. Goran is now touring the beautiful and iconic Great Ocean Road in South West Victoria (Google it!) and will return to Melbourne by this weekend. From there he intends to head up the east coast to Cairns Queensland (right through your towns, Pooch and Runnerbun!), before heading over to South America and the USA.

WHAT A TRIP! Goran posts photos of his adventures on the MAFCA Facebook page, if you wish to follow his progress. I know I will be!

[Chippy Minton]

It is worth checking up on his adventures as the straightforward Australian chapter is well into his journey. He has already driven from Northern Europe through the Eastern European countries into Asia then through India. A really impressive trip for a number of reasons including using his Model A and travelling in areas where any transits are far from straightforward. A brilliant achievement.
He is also on Facebook search for Göran Kynning.

#afordaroundtheworld

[Synchro909]

Talking of achievements in long trips, there is a member of this forum who I will not name but if he reads this, he will know who I am talking about. I'll leave it to him to put his hand up if he wants but he is not one to attract attention to himself.
In 2013, he drove a 1913 Model T from Melbourne, Australia to Moscow unaccompanied and with no support. As I understand it, the motor in the car is in need of major attention but he intends putting a new one in and driving it back.

[pooch]

Hoogah, tell Goran to email me if he is travelling up the Princes highway. .

[email protected]

If he is coming past I can drive with him for a few miles and maybe show him the sights of around here.

[Floats]

What a pity that the Southern Cape region was not aware of his visit to South Africa, maybe it was just me.
It would have been nice to meet and entertain him in our part of the world.

Apologies Gents,
According to his facebook page he did not visit South Africa. The A was shipped from India to Melbourne. The ship possibly routed via Durban en route.

[Hoogah]

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Originally Posted by Synchro909

Talking of achievements in long trips, there is a member of this forum who I will not name but if he reads this, he will know who I am talking about. I'll leave it to him to put his hand up if he wants but he is not one to attract attention to himself.
In 2013, he drove a 1913 Model T from Melbourne, Australia to Moscow unaccompanied and with no support. As I understand it, the motor in the car is in need of major attention but he intends putting a new one in and driving it back.

Two quiet achievers!

[RUNNERBUN]

Hoogah, if he's travelling up the coastal Highway to Cairns he will definitely have to pass through Mackay, Please feel free to pass on my contact details to him. I would love to do a couple of hundred kilometers with him.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN

Hoogah, if he's travelling up the coastal Highway to Cairns he will definitely have to pass through Mackay, Please feel free to pass on my contact details to him. I would love to do a couple of hundred kilometers with him.

Can do. Have PM'd you.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Floats

. . . Apologies Gents,
According to his facebook page he did not visit South Africa. The A was shipped from India to Melbourne. The ship possibly routed via Durban en route.

Sorry, my bad! Must have misinterpreted his Facebook post.

[Lawrie]

We are heading off from central QLD on friday down to melboure via the back roads in the 33 and caravan,we will look out for him,
Lawrie

[pooch]

Lawrie, I guess you are going down the hume?

[Lawrie]

Pooch.at the moment we are heading the back way to Brisbane,then to see friends at Nerang,then we thought the back roads through to Nimbin for a few days,never been there.
Then down towards melb again via the back roads.
We are thinking of driving to Adelaide after a few weeks in Melb,then we may leave the 33 and c/van somewhere in Adelaide, and go on the train up to Darwin. flying back and driving back to QLD.
I like to avoid the main roads as I feel we have to travel at 100 all the time on them.
Lawrie

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Pooch.at the moment we are heading the back way to Brisbane,then to see friends at Nerang,then we thought the back roads through to Nimbin for a few days,never been there.
Then down towards melb again via the back roads.
We are thinking of driving to Adelaide after a few weeks in Melb,then we may leave the 33 and c/van somewhere in Adelaide, and go on the train up to Darwin. flying back and driving back to QLD.
I like to avoid the main roads as I feel we have to travel at 100 all the time on them.
Lawrie

That's quite a trip but at least you have a V8 under your foot this time. Looking forward to seeing the two of you.

[Hoogah]

According to his Facebook page, Goran is right now negotiating heavy traffic in Sydney en route to the NSW museum of modern art. He is probably leaving Australia from Brisbane, starting the 13 of February, for middle America.

He took the scenic route from Melbourne to Sydney via Victoria's high country, over the Snowy Mountains and up the southern NSW coast.

Doesn't sound like he intends to go as far north as you, Runnerbun.

[Chippy Minton]

https://www.facebook.com/goran.kynning?ref=ts&fref=ts
Perhaps the fact that Göran Kynning has completed the Australian part of his epic adventure and his Model A is currently in a shipping container enroute for Panama and North America will generate the respect that this trip deserves. His journey is just a bit more demanding than a trip down to the local store or meeting in a neiborhood parking lot to compare fake original spec cars. Mohamed wouldn't go to the mountain but now the mountain is coming to him. Enjoy and learn.

[Hoogah]

Yep, all tucked up in it's shipping container for the next few weeks. Sorry I missed seeing him. Goran turned around just before reaching my town on the Great Ocean Road. Headed back to Melbourne where his Model A apparently was put on display in the Hot Rod Show! I bet a few of the other exhibitors were chopping and channeling it in their heads as they checked it out!

[mshmodela]

Gee what a trip! Post photos as they come!

[Cornishman]

A fantastic, unbelieveable road trip, a real dream for so many people. Hopefully when Göran reaches North America his travels will spark an interest in the Model A enthusiasts living there as well.

[Hoogah]

Goran is about to embark on his Central America leg:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ford...90260005477663

[Hoogah]

Yesterday's Facebook posts from Goran show him in Monterrey, Mexico, and heading for the US border. Heading for San Antone?

Update: Nope. Brownsville to New Orleans.

[Hoogah]

Here's Goran's description of the motor that's taking him around the world:
"Only for the freaks.
I've got a B Ford engine with: 283 pistons, new rods with modern bearings, modern stainless steel valves and seats and new springs, the camshaft is a IB340 from Bill Stipe, the crankshaft is grinned and the block is bored to be able to have modern bearings, all instructions comes from Antique engine Rebuilding,thanks Richard Fallucca, ignition is electronic from FS ignition ( I love those guys), the carburetor is a one barrel Weber 34 ICH with a cfm of 150 witch is quite ideal to keep fuel consumption down, it's tested with a lambda instrument to be sure it's ok, I run it on 16 for you how knows watt that means, inside that air cleaner can is a KN filter. Many of my parts in both engine and the rest of the car comes from Snyder Antique Auto Parts thanks Don Snyder jr
Thanks to all of you, Mats Linden Björn Wallman and Lars Hedström
And the Companys that helped me."

[Chippy Minton]

Goran is now in the United States. Time for a few more members to take an interest in this amazing journey? It's a pity that his feat hasn't gained more support on here, life and Model As do exist outside the USA.

[Barber31]

He passed so close to where I live. It's a shame I couldn't see him passing through. Last I saw on his posts he is in Corpus Christi, Texas.

[Chippy Minton]

As is now in the United States don't forget to keep up to date on Facebook. A tremendous achievement.

[Hoogah]

Goran has made it to Houston. Here is his latest post from Facebook:
"Here's a map of my trip so far, just over 5000 km, continues tomorrow aiming for Chicago. Probably making a stop on the way for a trip to Sweden but not sure yet".
#afordaroundtheworld
#aford

[pooch]

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Wow, he was game driving thru Mexico.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by pooch

Wow, he was game driving thru Mexico.

2nd that!

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by pooch

Wow, he was game driving thru Mexico.

Third it!!

[Cornishman]

I have been following the trip on Facebook. I really cannot understand the lack of interest shown on this forum, Goran's adventure really is something else. Surely Mexico is nothing compared to some of the countries that he visited in Asia. Most people wouldn't attempt a trip like that in a modern car but to do it in a Model A makes it even more special. Great guy, great trip.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Cornishman

I have been following the trip on Facebook. I really cannot understand the lack of interest shown on this forum, Goran's adventure really is something else. Surely Mexico is nothing compared to some of the countries that he visited in Asia. Most people wouldn't attempt a trip like that in a modern car but to do it in a Model A makes it even more special. Great guy, great trip.

Yeah, tough crowd! He's even done all the necessary things to whip up some interest here - mods to the engine, whitewall tyres! Maybe he needs to declare that he uses MMO at every refill?

[Cornishman]

I'm sure that most members don't realise quite how big the real World beyond the borders of the USA actually is. If he does meet some Model A owning Americans perhaps they will try to persuade him to change it back to a fine point restoration car and put it on a trailer as quickly as possible!

[JDupuis]

I don't do facebook...
I do enjoy seeing the adventure that this man has set before him. A larger than life adventure. Something I wish I could do.
Will he be travelling through Canada? If so, how soon? Thanks for keeping us informed. Jeff

[heneste]

I would think there's probably just as many people who would prefer it modified as those that would prefer it stock. It's a tremendous undertaking to do a trip of that duration with a modern car, let alone a vintage one. It's a great story and looking forward to seeing more progress. Nice to see another model a functioning on the road and not locked away in a garage though.

[Cornishman]

Originally Posted by heneste

I would think there's probably just as many people who would prefer it modified as those that would prefer it stock. It's a tremendous undertaking to do a trip of that duration with a modern car, let alone a vintage one. It's a great story and looking forward to seeing more progress. Nice to see another model a functioning on the road and not locked away in a garage though.

My observation isn't really about the car but about the interest shown by members of the forum. A quick look through the posts will show you that there have been multiple responses from members in Australia, South Africa, Canada and Europe yet only replies from three based in the USA. Given that the vast majority of members are based in the US I find that odd and can only presume that it is outside their knowledge and interest. I had expected more interest once Goran crossed over the border from Mexico to the USA but that, as yet, is unforthcoming. A pity as Goran deserves a lot of respect and support for his epic journey.

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

I am not on facebook either, but I am interested in Goran's achievement.
Thank you Hoogah and others for sharing his progress.
I hope Goran writes an article for one of the Model A magazine's, when he is done.

[russcochiolo]

I have been following his progress on the M.A.F.C.A. Facebook page. I have had nothing to add and remained quiet 'til now. I was hoping that he'd have time to come up through CA so that we could show him our part of the world. In some ways it seems that he is hell bent on getting the miles in and not seeing the sights. Reminds me of the 18 hr. days sitting behind the steering wheel of a tractor trailer......a lot of scenery through the windshield! I'm sure that most of the CA chapters would love to show him around our favorite A drives. Russ

[HoarseWhisperer]

Originally Posted by JDupuis

I don't do facebook...
I do enjoy seeing the adventure that this man has set before him. A larger than life adventure. Something I wish I could do.
Will he be travelling through Canada? If so, how soon? Thanks for keeping us informed. Jeff

Goran is posting updates to a least 4 Model A Facebook groups. His itinerary does include Toronto and Niagara Falls region.

[JDupuis]

Thanks Hoarse! Hope I don't miss out on the action. Keep us informed on dates. Jeff

[HoarseWhisperer]

Originally Posted by JDupuis

Thanks Hoarse! Hope I don't miss out on the action. Keep us informed on dates. Jeff

As soon as I know, I will update you, Jeff.

[GPierce]

I don't do facebook either. Too bad it was not posted on the forum earlier.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by GPierce

I don't do facebook either. Too bad it was not posted on the forum earlier.

First post on this thread was 16th January, when I learned of Goran's arrival downunder.

[Chippy Minton]

Latest update, Mason, Ohio in the rain.

[cdlwingnut]

I know a club in Cedar Rapids Iowa that would love to have lunch or dinner with him if he makes it though Iowa on his trip. probably even get a few cars to travel a ways with him

[Hoogah]

And today, Goran is at Snyders getting some brake work done and checking out the collection.

[Chippy Minton]

Goran is now heading back to Europe.

[Synchro909]

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I wonder if the drivers of any of the other cars realise where that "old car" has just been.

[Hoogah]

From Goran via FaceBook:
"So now it's lined up for transportation to Gothenburg. I made it, I did go round the world with this old but beautiful car. Tanks all around the world that's supported me by Facebook and Instagram, it's been a inspiration having you around. A special big hug to all of you that helped me on the way when problems have raised. I will take the A from Gothenburg to Stockholm in one way or the other in mid June I'll keep you updated ❤️
#afordaroundtheworld
#aford"

He made it around the world, and just in time apparently. The car has developed some engine problems. Goran resisted the offers of help to pull the motor, preferring to get it home and do the work himself. What a journey!

[Floats]

WELL DONE to Goran and his Model A
Tks for the update.

[Chippy Minton]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I wonder if the drivers of any of the other cars realise where that "old car" has just been.

No drivers involved. The cars are to be loaded onto a ship for the three and a half week voyage to Europe. When I first saw the photo it did occur to me that that was probably the first time that a Model A being shipped to Europe from there was one that was already registered in a European country. Plenty of Model As are shipped from the USA to Europe every year but most of those are shipped by people who know the commercial gain possible.

[Cornishman]

Congratulations Goran. A dream trip completed and you have shown so many people that Model A Fords are for driving. There is more to ownership than artificially keeping them in showroom condition, moving them around in closed trailers and collecting trophies. A magnificent achievement!

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

Does anyone know how many miles he traveled on his remarkable trip?

[Tom Wesenberg]

As well as how many miles, I'm wondering what such a trip would cost?

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Neil Mylar LakewoodCA

Does anyone know how many miles he traveled on his remarkable trip?

Someone asked him this question when he was in Lafayette LA. Goran estimated around 22,000 km at that point.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Someone asked him this question when he was in Lafayette LA. Goran estimated around 22,000 km at that point.

IMHO, 22,000 km (less than 14,000 miles) in a solo car isn't all that much!
Heck, I've done WAAAYY more than that around Oz while towing and a friend in his 1928 Chev has done over 300,000 miles also towing around Oz.
Never the less, he will dine out on his stories for quite a while, I'd imagine.

[Chippy Minton]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

IMHO, 22,000 km (less than 14,000 miles) in a solo car isn't all that much!
Heck, I've done WAAAYY more than that around Oz while towing and a friend in his 1928 Chev has done over 300,000 miles also towing around Oz.
Never the less, he will dine out on his stories for quite a while, I'd imagine.

You don't have a clue do you?

[Jason in TX]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

IMHO, 22,000 km (less than 14,000 miles) in a solo car isn't all that much!
Heck, I've done WAAAYY more than that around Oz while towing and a friend in his 1928 Chev has done over 300,000 miles also towing around Oz.
Never the less, he will dine out on his stories for quite a while, I'd imagine.

14,000 miles in a few months on every continent isn't that much?

[Tom Wesenberg]

I know some continents I wouldn't dare visit.

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I know some continents I wouldn't dare visit.

While I admire the trip he made, and I am sure he had support of some kind, maybe he has brass balls or was totally ignorant of the situations thru the States from Panama City to the US border, glad he made it.

[Chippy Minton]

Originally Posted by Brian T

While I admire the trip he made, and I am sure he had support of some kind, maybe he has brass balls or was totally ignorant of the situations thru the States from Panama City to the US border, glad he made it.

No harder there than in the parts of the Middle East and India that he passed through. If his trip was so easy why isn't everyone doing it, it's a huge challenge in a modern vehicle, in a vintage car...

[Hoogah]

Goran just put up a map of his USA leg.

[henry's 31]

Sounds like an incredible trip, a trip of a lifetime. Congratulations!

[Hoogah]

For those of you who may be wondering, Goran completed his lap around the world just a few days ago, driving from Gothenburg to Stockholm. The car had arrived from its trans-Atlantic trip and needed some minor repairs before the last leg could be accomplished.

The photos show some brake work being done back at Snyders while he was still in the USA; lining up to put the car on the boat; and a still from a little video that he posted on Facebook of him arriving back at his own home.

Good effort, huh?

[Synchro909]

Give the man a smiley stamp!
Well done. What memories has he created for himself and what bragging rights?

[Chippy Minton]

Yes, congratulations Göran. I followed the last part of his journey on Facebook. An incredible journey.
From what I can gather he's not one for bragging although he deserves to be more than proud of what he has achieved.